Lone-Rock
indefinitely now that she had Betty's companionship. Her letters were
enthusiastic about the new sister, whom she had long loved, first with
the admiration of a little girl for an older one, then with that of a
pupil for an adored teacher. Now they seemed of the same age, and of the
same mind about essential things, especially the pedestal on which they
both placed Jack.

Betty fitted into the family as beautifully as if she had always been a
part of it, Mary wrote soon after her arrival. She loved Lone-Rock the
moment she laid eyes on it, and made friends with everybody right away.
She thought it an ideal place in which to write, and already was at work
on the series which the publishers had asked for. Norman was "simply
crazy" about her, and Jack was so happy and proud that it did one's
heart good to see him.

As for Mary herself, it was easy for Phil to see the vast difference
that Betty's coming had made in her life. He laid these letters aside
with the others as they came, thankful for the happy spirit that
breathed through them, for now he was convinced that she "really felt
the gladness she had only feigned before." She was all aglow once more
with her old hopes and ambitions. Despite her efforts to hide it he had
discerned how dreary the days had been for her hitherto, and now he was
glad he could think of her with the background she pictured for him.
Betty's coming had brightened it wonderfully. But just as he was
beginning to be sure she was satisfied and settled, a little note came
to disturb his comfort in that belief. It was evidently scrawled in
haste and began abruptly without address or date.

"'_And it came to pass . . . when the cloud was
taken up . . . they journeyed!_' Oh, Phil, the
signal to move on has come at last! I have no
idea what it will lead to. It may be to the
wells of some Elim, it may be to that part of
the wilderness 'where there is no water to
drink.' But wherever it may be I'm convinced
that Providence is pointing the way, for the
call came without my lifting so much as a
little finger. It came through Madam Chartley.
I'm to be secretary for a friend of hers, a
Mrs. Dudley Blythe of Riverville, at a big
salary--at least it seems big to me--and I'm
leaving in the morning. That's all I know now,
but I'll write you full particulars as soon as
I